National Republican., 1887-04-15
Tho Renson Why.

Tho Reason why.
The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, one Of the
ablest papers Of the south, in its issue of
the 18th instant says:
The New England states hold the purse
strings of the republic. The secret of their
success has been utilization of splendid water
power for manufacturing purposes. People
engaged in manufacturing have been educated
10 the highest point in their ealings, and the
section now stands the richest in the sister,
hood Of states.
The middle stateshave progresEed-aud pro-
gressed rspidly-because of vast mineral re-
gions, the wealth of which is extracted and
manufactured ION the ground" This section
is growing in wealth daily and keeping pace
with the world of prosperity.
The western states, which section has sprung
into prominence in less than half century
and commanded an important position among
the rich and go-ahead states of the Union, de-
PEND almost entirely on the adaptability Of the
soil to agriculture-the growing of grain and
grasses
Each of the sections nre ahead OF the south
ern states, though 1t is pointed out with pleas
ure that our section is now fairly in the race
and bids fair to distance competitors and rank
first in the states united as regards wealth and
future possibilities There is no reason why
the south should not lead. Here we have
water power, by virtue of which New England
has grown wealthy; here, too, are mineral de-
posts as rich and as inexhaustible as those of
the middle states; here we have as fine soil
adapted to agricultural pursuits as any section
in the universe.
The south is blessed indeed. We are blessed
with the things on the earth and within the
earth that have ministered to the wealth
ard importance of our more progressive asso-
ciates in the union OF states and If we possess
the water advantages of the New England,
the mineral resources Of the middle, and the
agricultural facilities of the western states,
there is no reason why we should not only
overtake those sections, but the argument
stands thatwe should surpass and outstrp
them.
After having so ably and truthfully stated
the existing conditions, the Chronicle en-.
deavors to prescribe the methods by or
through which the south can overtake and
outstrip the other sections in the race for
wealth. And we think that our contem-
pOrary, usually so clear in its statements
and so clever and correct IN its deductions,
fails to give the true reasons why the south
has not In the past, does not now, and can
not in the future without decided chapge)
utilize the advantages 1t undoubtedly pos
sesses.
II is probably not the fault Of the Chroni-
Gle, but of its readers, that 1t fails TO point
out what IL evidently knows are the true
remedies for the existing conditions, and
ouly gives the stereotyped, though correct,
advice as to the necessity Of diversified in
dustries, without an attempt to show how
the capital to inaugurate these diversified
industries is to be secured.
The Chronicle says:
lfthe farmer will stop buying meat and hay
and corn, which he can so readily produce on
his own lands, then we will manufacture in
the south the produce which we now ship to
our New England friends; If we will equip and
operate small and diversified manufacturing
enterprises; II we will keep our money al
nome, patronize home institutions, aud be
more dependent on ourselves, then will have
been inaugurated that era in the history of the
south which will bring our section to the van
These things would be the result of the
change that is necessary to enable the south
TO successfully complete with the other Sec
change.
What the south needs is money to develop
it's industries. How to get that money Il
the'question for Its people to consider.
There is but one way. 1t has been well
taid "tbat there is nothing more timid than
million dollars except two millions u
This is true. Money goes begging now In
the eastern and middle states for an interest
Of three per cent. or an investment that viii
pay five or six per cent because the owners
Of the money know that the capital loaned
or invested will be secure.
Yet this same money can be leaned or in'
vested in the south so that 1t will pay
double, aud In many instances triple and
quSdruple these figures. 1t will not &c
there, however, even for these rich rewards
because Of the feeling of insecurity that Is
Induced by the political condition of the
southern states
Capital sees nearly solid phalanx OF
white men in one political party, domlnat.
ing nearly an equal number OF black men
in the other political party, and by methods
more or less Objectionable, but all In viola
tion, not only of political and personal
rights, but of law, depriylug these black
men of all political power.
Capital sees that this system Of political
prescription not only affects the states Of
the south where 1t is practiced, but ais
affects the whole country to such an ey
tent, that for years 1t has controlled on,
branch Of the national legislature, and no v
controls the Executive, thus depriVing He
majority Of is constitutional right 10 rULG.
Capital sees further, that the men OF tbs
south, who compose the party thus ruling
advocate theories of political economy
that, put in force, even through the legit
mate means provided by law, would en-
danger it, and that this danger would b,
immeasurably increased II these theories
should succeed in dominating the country
through the lllegitlmate methods of south
ern Democracy.
Timid as it is, capital fears that these
conditions will produce troubles which
would endanger 1t, and therefore prefer.
the safe investment with smaller returls,
the same reasoning producing the same